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DPH: No firework injuries yet
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Posted on Dec 30 2008
So far this holiday season the Commonwealth Health Center has seen few injuries, according to Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez.
Although he is still waiting for the final reports, he said there were no firework related injuries over Christmas.
“But of course, the main concern is fireworks are mainly aligned with New Year’s,” he added. “I’m just very surprised we still have them around.”
Public Law 15-127 was passed earlier this year banning the sale and use of fireworks in light of past incidents where children have been severely burned and lost eyesight or homes caught fire and were destroyed.
“The Legislature finds that the fireworks/firecracker situation in the Commonwealth has become uncontrollable under current provisions of law and a broader prohibition is necessary in the interest of public health and safety for the promotion of a strong tourist industry,” the law states.
The Secretary said the hospital would be keeping a close eye on possible injuries over the New Year. He urged everyone to be safe during the holiday.
Villagomez said the only tragic accident happening during the Christmas holiday was the electrocution of Mel Hal B. Ogarto Taitano, 33, on Friday. Taitano was electrocuted while picking breadfruit using a metal pipe that came in contact with a power line in Chalan Kanoa.
“It was really sad because he was getting breadfruit for his wife who was pregnant,” Villagomez said.
